Call Now Schedule an Appointment. What Does the Evaporator Coil Do? Air Conditioner Basics The air conditioning system has two main parts. The Importance of the Evaporator Coil The main job of the evaporator coil is to cool the refrigerant so that it can absorb the heat. The Importance of the Compressor and Condenser Coil As mentioned, the compressor changes the cold refrigerant into gas and sends it into the condenser coil.
Image provided by Shutterstock Facebook. Search for:. You might think of it as your favorite basketball team playing offense and defense. Both roles are necessary in order to win a game. Where the condenser coil is located plays a big part in the job it performs. You'll find your condenser coil within a large, square box with a big fan on top located next to your house.
Since the condenser coil's job is to release the heat from inside your house, it makes sense that the heat would be released into the outside air. As the refrigerant gas travels from the compressor to the condenser coil. Air is blown over the condenser by a large fan to assist the refrigerant in releasing it's heat. Within the condenser are many copper coil tubes that wind around the housing.
This gives the refrigerant plenty of time to release the heat which was moved from within your home. The evaporator coil works when air flows over a series of thin metal fins that are cooled by the refrigerant within the copper tubing. Technically, the evaporator moves the heat from the air into the refrigerant and the cooled air is then blown into the home through the ductwork.
The evaporator coil can be a magnet for dust, debris, and other contaminants, this is because it is installed within the airstream of your HVAC system. It's critical to have your evaporator coil inspected annually and most DYI'ers are more than capable of cleaning the external surfaces facing the duct airflow. We highly recommend professional cleaning if you notice an extensive amount of dirt or dust as the surfaces within the coil may also be affected.
Pro Tip : Purchasing a quality air filter is the best defense in preventing dirty evaporator coils. And frequent filter changing is critical. During the cooling season, we recommend changing your filter every 4 to 6 weeks. The video below will show you how to clean your evaporator coil. You'll need a can of no-rinse coil cleaner which is inexpensive and available through Amazon, and a fin cleaning brush. The job itself is simple but not necessarily easy, especially if the area where the unit resides is not very accessible.
Unfortunately, evaporator coils will leak. There are a variety of factors that can cause leaks, including corrosion as well as a clogged drain. If you find that your evaporator has started leaking, you basically have three options:. Use a Sealant - One option is to inject a sealant into the refrigerant which travels through the system in search of leaks.
This method is relatively cost-effective, but may require multiple applications. And over time, the lack of warm air causes the refrigerant to drop in temperature. Eventually, the lack of warm air causes frost to grow on those cold coils. Energy Star recommends having annual AC maintenance performed by a professional to keep your system running efficiently. Want to keep your evaporator coil in tip-top condition for longer?
Just contact us. We will schedule your AC maintenance visit with one of our experienced technicians. Evaporator coil. Your evaporator coil removes heat from the air. But what happens to all of the heat that your evaporator coil has just absorbed? Common evaporator coil problems. Signs of a refrigerant leak include: Higher-than-normal energy bills Ice on refrigerant lines Frozen evaporator coil Your AC struggles to cool your home Hissing or bubbling noises coming from refrigerant lines.
The compressor pressurizes the refrigerant, turning it into a hot, high-pressure gas. This gas leaves the compressor and flows into the condenser coils. This is where the refrigerant releases much of the heat that was absorbed from your home. The fan on top of the outdoor unit blows air over the condenser coils so the refrigerant inside loses heat. As it cools, the refrigerant changes from a hot gas to a hot liquid.
From there, it flows back through a copper tube into your home and into the expansion valve located in the indoor unit near the evaporator coil. Good airflow is critical for both evaporator and condenser coils. Both these components transfer heat, and dust or debris interferes with their ability to do this. For condenser units, the most common threat is a buildup of yard debris on the fins. This usually takes the form of grass clippings, fallen leaves, twigs, and pet hair that make it harder for the condenser to release heat.
Check the condenser periodically and, if you notice debris buildup, shut off power to your whole system and use a stiff brush to gently clean the fins.
On occasion, an air conditioner condenser can develop frost or even a complete casing of ice. This could be a dirty air filter, dirty air registers, and vents, a duct blockage or a dirty evaporator coil.
Ice on the condenser can also be caused by low refrigerant, which requires a call to a technician. When the cooling season ends, protect the outdoor condenser from the elements by covering the top with a piece of wood held down at all four corners by bricks.
This keeps snow from piling up inside. Covering the whole unit traps moisture inside, encouraging rust. It also makes the unit more tempting for animals seeking shelter.
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